6,800 UAW members go on strike at Stellantis' Sterling Heights Assembly Plant
(CBS DETROIT) - The United Auto Workers announced Monday morning that 6,800 UAW members at Stellantis' Sterling Heights Assembly Plant have gone on strike, shutting down production at the plant that makes RAM 1500 trucks.
In a statement Monday, the UAW says, "Stellantis lags behind both Ford and General Motors in addressing the demands of their UAW workforce."
As the strike enters the six-week mark, more than 40,000 UAW members are striking at Detroit's Big Three automakers.
In response to the strike expansion, Stellantis released the following statement:
"We are outraged that the UAW has chosen to expand its strike action against Stellantis. Last Thursday morning, Stellantis presented a new, improved offer to the UAW, including 23% wage increases over the life of the contract, nearly a 50% increase in our contributions to the retirement savings plan, and additional job security protections for our employees. Following multiple conversations that appeared to be productive, we left the bargaining table expecting a counter-proposal, but have been waiting for one ever since.
Our very strong offer would address member demands and provide immediate financial gains for our employees. Instead, the UAW has decided to cause further harm to the entire automotive industry as well as our local, state and national economies.
The UAW's continued disturbing strategy of "wounding" all the Detroit 3 will have long-lasting consequences. With every decision to strike, the UAW sacrifices domestic market share to non-union competition. These actions not only decrease our market share, but also impact our profitability and therefore, our ability to compete, invest and preserve the record profit sharing payments our employees have enjoyed over the past two years."
Monday's walkout comes days after UAW President Shawn Fain said he received two new offers from Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and numerous other brands, and General Motors but that more work needed to be done with the Big Three.
General Motors' latest offer called for a reinstatement of the cost-of-living adjustment and a 25% compounded wage increase.
As the strike enters its sixth week, layoffs continue at the Big Three. On Monday, Ford announced an additional 67 workers at its Sterling Axle Plant have been laid off due to the ongoing strike, bringing the total number of workers laid off at the Sterling Axle Plant to 485.
For more on the UAW strike, visit here.